It's a chance for him to spend time with his wife and three boys while his body recovers in the midst of a marathon. He's become accustomed to a mini-retreat each July, unwinding at home while baseball's elite live it up at the Midsummer Classic.

This year, however, Markakis won't get his precious R&R. Instead he'll be in Washington, D.C., playing alongside the best of the best. For the first time in his 13-year career, the Braves outfielder is an All-Star - whether he likes it or not.

"To play every day throughout your career - it's a 162-game season - four days off is definitely nice, especially if you go home and spend it with the family," Markakis told Sporting News. "It's a nice break from the game, but it is what it is. I'm just doing what I can to help my team win as many games as I can. If that comes with going to the All-Star Game, so be it."

Never one to make much of personal accolades or show emotion, it's no surprise that Markakis isn't hyped about his All-Star debut. Those who know him say that's par for the course.

"That has a lot to do with his personality," Markakis' teammate and brother-in-law Ryan Flaherty told Sporting News. "You never know if he's 10 for his last 10 or (zero) for his last 30. He's pretty even-keel.

"I'm sure he's pretty excited deep down and he'd just never tell anyone."

If there is any enthusiasm there, Markakis does a fantastic job of hiding it. He always has, on and off the field.

An Oriole for nine years before joining Atlanta, Markakis has forever been consistent, yet never flashy. He doesn't contend for major awards, but he has averaged 153 games per season throughout his career. He's been an impact player since his rookie season in 2006, but his numbers are just as quiet as he is when compared to the game's superstars.

Still, it's hard to believe that this will be his first time working over summer break.

"Knowing the player and how steady and reliable and consistent he's been, it is kind of mind-blowing that he hasn't made an All-Star team," Braves skipper Brian Snitker said.

Markakis left himself no choice this season.

With a .324/.380/.490 slash line, 113 hits, 27 doubles, 10 homers and 59 RBIs, he's playing some of the best baseball of his life for the first place Braves. That's why he received more All-Star votes than any outfielder in the National League, even if he didn't necessarily want them.

While Markakis would rather have his downtime, he acknowledged that the All-Star nod is a "cool recognition," mostly because his sons, ages 5-9, will get to enjoy the festivities. He'd rather be somewhere else, but his kids are sure to have a blast.

The young Braves aren't exactly favorites for a title, but Markakis likes his team's chances as they sit atop the NL East. Much of the baseball world didn't expect Atlanta to arrive so soon, but Markakis is far from shocked.

"A lot of people say they're surprised, but I don't think you can go in this clubhouse and ask anybody and tell them that we surprised ourselves," he said. "We know what we're capable of doing. We saw it toward the end of last year when some of these guys started trickling in. A lot of these signings that the front office did - everybody's contributing. It's been fun baseball right now. It's exciting."

The playoffs are still far off, however. There's another half of a season to play. For now, Markakis can focus on getting through the All-Star break - minus the break part.

Even if he's not entirely excited about the game, others are for him.

"It's well overdue. You don't find a player with a résumé like his that hasn't been to one," Flaherty said. "I kind of thought it was unique. I was kind of hoping he would keep building his résumé and not make one, but I'm excited for him, for sure.

"I think everyone in baseball, when they hear that stat, they're like, 'Wow, I can't believe he hasn't made it.' You look at his numbers, year in and year out, they're right there since he first came in until now. He's the model of consistency and that's what you're looking for in a baseball player."